Shopping makes hungry and strolling around in and out of the many factory outlets that line up the central area of Bandung might require something substantial to keep you going. A steak at Dakken provides the well-needed carbohydrates for a Bandung bargain hunt. Dakken, situated in a colonial building on Jalan Martadinata, was opened in 1999. First, it housed a furniture shop stocking Sigma wooden tables, chairs and cabinets, and in 2000 the owner decided to combine the furniture business with a cafe/restaurant. Another branch of Dakken has been opened up in Jakarta at Jalan Kemang selatan No. 150.

The VibeDakken still shows its history as a furniture shop with the restaurant divided into several rooms that are all stylishly decorated with comfortable couches and thick wooden tables. However, the decoration is modern the place still exhumes an aura of colonial splendor. The garden at the back is a true retreat from street life and offers semi-private seating arrangements with roofed gazebo style plateaus. Especially at night, the lighting with candles and wall mounted lamps makes for a cozy atmosphere. Inside you feel as if you're having coffee at a friend's house sinking into the couches, while outside is perfect for intimate rendezvous in a Paris of Java ambiance.

The FoodDakken's specialities are the steaks, tenderloin, sirloin or pepper, and each can be served as local beef, Bali beef or imported beef, with a surcharge for the latter ones. The most popular steak is the sirloin Bali beef steak , served with mashed potato, sautéed vegetables and onion rings (Rp 43,500). The grilled steak is tasty yet not as tender as hoped for. The side dishes are testimony to the fact that the cooks know how to prepare food well. No intricate spice combinations that end up ruining the ingredients, but simple yet creamy mashed potato, and still crispy vegetables with a hint of thyme, and a good peppery sauce. As far as the menu goes, luckily steaks and coffee aren't all that Dakken have to offer. There is a section of seafood, where the high flyer is the bakedatlantic salmon in white cream sauce and aioli (Rp 47,500) and a pasta section that features a mouthwatering smoked beef and cheese lasagne (Rp 25,500), an unusual combination of smoked beef that adds a southern ring to an Italian dish. To reload energy try one of the coffee specialities ranging from panama bouquette , Guatamala Volcan or Sulawesi kalosi (Rp 12,000 to 16,000 depending on size)

The serviceTimid yet friendly waiters are positioned strategically inside and outside to serve guests residing in the different rooms. The only disappointing staff member was in fact the PR manager, who was quite apprehensive and not in the least forthcoming as to provide information about the place he runs. Luckily, the others made up for his poor performance.

SD's personal take on Dakken steak and coffeeAs far as ambience goes, Dakken has a unique feel to it. The way the place is set up, with several dining rooms in the main building and an outside eating garden, has a certain class to it. Food-wise, the chefs certainly know how to handle their ingredients. The steak we tried however was not as juicy or tender as it should have been. Furthermore the uninterested PR manager left a somewhat bitter aftertaste to the whole Dakken experience.